A new report, with research conducted by healthcare analysts, Laing & Buisson, predicts that the cost of cancer diagnosis and treatment will rise from £9.3 billion in 2010 to £15.3 billion by 2021 - an increase of £5.9 billion. Are we heading for a crisis in cancer care?
The increase in the overall cost of cancer diagnosis and treatment is, in part, the result of the UK's ageing population, which is predicted to lead to a 20% growth in cancer rates by 2021. In addition, the report illustrates that the cost of cancer technologies and treatments will continue to rise significantly over the 10 year period.
The report identifies three approaches which could help address the challenge:
Change how and where we treat cancer patients and survivors
Make out-of-hospital care a standard choice for patients when clinically appropriate
Enable patients to manage their follow-up appointment
Find new ways to address the cost of tests and treatments for cancer
Ensure better national planning for availability of new drugs and technologies
Integrate companion tests for personalised medicines into care pathways
Find new ways to bring cancer drugs to market
Make it easier for people to navigate their cancer treatment options
Enable patients to transfer between public and private facilities more easily
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